Authors' objectives:

This aim of this report was to assess whether Gestalt therapy is more effective than other therapeutic approaches.

Authors' recommendations: - We identified two randomised controlled trials (RCTs), one pseudo-randomise controlled study and four comparative studies with concurrent controls that compared Gestalt therapy to another therapeutic approach or no therapy. - The studies were conducted for the following conditions/situations: depressive disorders, unresolved emotional issues with a significant other, inmates and childbirth training. - The studies compared Gestalt therapy to the following: cognitive group therapy, no therapy, attention-placebo treatment, discussions of human behaviour, free group activities (sports, hobbies etc) and respiratory autogenic training. - The outcomes assessed were: emotional arousal, depression, anxiety, self- concept, state of relationships, symptom distress, self-ratings, body image, locus of control, health workers ratings, duration of labour and type of delivery. - Six of the seven studies reported that Gestalt therapy resulted in an increase in some positive outcomes when assessed against comparators. - The studies were of variable quality. The main potentials for bias were lack of randomisation, the intervention and control groups differing at baseline, loss to follow-up and small sample sizes.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/healthservices/cce/evidence/

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness

Contact Address: Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9594 7505; Fax: +61 3 9594 7552.

Contact Name: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Contact Email: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Copyright: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness (CCE)